Mainly the stouts on top of the BA best beer list - Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout - Marshmallow Handjee - BA Abraxus - Hunapu Imperial Stout plus - Pliny the Younger
At the Wegman's in Alexandria, VA, Lunch is on tap at the bar, Sip is in the cooler, and Eddy Fitz is on the shelf. You could knock out 60% of your list if you start a US vacation in the DC area.
I've had all of those, except for Hill Farmstead at the brewery. Younger was different between the Brewpub and the production facility. They said the hops used, especially dry hops were different. There were equipment and process differences to. In the fall I'm after Brauerei Gradl Dunkel in Leups not far from Nürnberg. The other is a visit to Mönschambach to try the very good Zehendner Biers.
For me, it's not bucket list beers, it's bucket list brewery/beer visits: Landlord, on site. Hill Farmstead anything, ON SITE. Alchemist (Focal, Heady) ON SITE. Cantillon ON SITE. and heck, Pliny the Younger (yes, ON SITE). Yep.
Oof I don't chase whales like I used to, but there are definitely a handful I still very much want to track down: 1) Samuel Adams Millennium 2) A Deal with the Devil Batch 3 3) M.J.K. Batch 2 (2024) 4) Cantillon Don Quijote 5) 3 Fonteinen Pension Blend A bunch of other dusties not worth mentioning that I'll likely never get my hands on.
The responses that include place as a reason tend to sway me. I’d love to visit Nunavut and have a chance to have a beer at Nunavut Brewing Company as some have mentioned. Similarly, I’d like to have a beer at the only brewery in Labrador, Iron Rock. As visits might not be in the offing, I’m hopeful that the changes to inter-provincial alcohol sales that are on the horizon make ordering from both a possibility in the near future (I think Iron Rock may already be…) I’ve had most of the Belgian and American and English beers I have wanted to try, many at the source. So, I’ll echo the Urquel and Schlenkerla choices, at the source and particularly the latter. Closer to home. I’ll close out with an early batch of Unibroue Quelque Chose. It’s the only ‘Canadian Whale’ I think Ive missed out on.
Lots of people talking about visiting Hill Farmstead, so I'll recount my experience there. This was about 10 years ago. I was in Vermont as a sort of working vacation to visit dairy farms and soak up the cheese culture there and what made it stand out. Had spent a couple of days visiting Jasper Hill, staying at the cabin they keep at Barr Hill. A young lady that worked for me at the time stepdad worked at Hill Farmstead and said I should ask for him without telling him that I would be stopping by, so I asked if Bob was around like an asshole (he wasn't). Parking lot was full of NY and MA license plates filling up their trunks with growlers. Draft list was along the lines of 8 hazies of varying ABV, a black IPA, and a pilsner. Split the full taster with my ex, but it pretty much blurred (not my thing). The case of bottles of sour saisons and porter that I took away was awesome. There was a very friendly and stinky golden retriever from the farm next door that came over to get pets and he was awesome. Overall, Vermont is awesome. Don't make the trip just to visit Hill Farmstead, make the trip to the NE Kingdom because it's absolutely beautiful, especially in the fall. Hill Farmstead makes great beers if what they make is what you're into. I might have just shown up on a day where they only had NEIPA on tap, but I got the impression that the dark ales and saisons were only bottled at that time. Staff definitely seemed overwhelmed with the amount of business they got because of their reputation, but were still friendly and professional. That dog is probably dead by now, but maybe the neighbors got another one and he still comes over to say hi.
For those listing Nunavut brewing as a bucket list choice, if you ever find yourself in Toronto you can visit Red Tape Brewery which is owned by a couple, the wife of which is from Nunavut. They periodically make a saison using foraged ingredients that she brings back from Nunavut. I know east end Toronto is a far cry from Nunavut itself, but it’s a start!
These are beers I have never seen, but heard about, and want to try across styles: Pliny the Elder Any Westvleteren Heady Topper La Choulette Ambrée Batemans XXXB Dortmunder Gold & Elliot Ness
Wanna' go with us? Maybe this thread will draw enough interest in a Nunavut trip that we can charter a bus and leave the driving to someone else. @dcotom
Also, it's not like the brewery itself is particularly unique compared to most of the "farmhouse" breweries you can find an hour or so outside of most east coast cities. And it isn't steeped in decades or centuries of history. Go to Vermont because Vermont is awesome and stop by Hill Farmstead because it's there.
I know I’ll never get to try this beer as I don’t think it’s been made in years and years, but Barrel-Aged Hi-Fi Rye from Flossmoor Station is easily my #1. Pliny the Younger is probably #2, just to say I had it (I’m not the biggest fan of giant IIPAs but still…. Gotta try this one). No idea what else would be on there as I’ve been very lucky to try so many fantastic beers around the world. But BA Hi-Fi is def #1 for me.
No particular order Westvleteren 8 Unpasturized/unfiltered Pilsner Urquell Abyss Mother Of All Storms HF Anna
Of that list, I've only had Heady. But, I can say that it's one of those beers that's as good as advertised.
My list is pretty much among the expected group of usual suspects: Westy XII Pliny the Younger TG Kentucky Brunch Anchorage Deal with the Devil Bruery Black Tuesday
I don't have bucket list beers.. everything is pretty accessible nowadays. You can get anything conveniently shipped to your home. I would like to visit places tho.. Pilsner Urquell brewery, Russian River, Anything in Germany, Anything in Japan, Mcilhenney. Anything in the UK. Anything in Belgium, Bucketlist bars: O'Briens in San Diego, Toronado in San Francisco, Monk's in Philly, Etc..
Bucket list beers, meaning never tried before? Jeez, that’s tough. I’m more suited to a “5 beers for a desert island” type list
It seems like some folks are interpreting a bucket list as something they have never tried before. The list I created in the OP also included beers I have had before as a recommendation to others (e.g., cellar brewed Pilsner Urquell). I would encourage you to generate a list per your inclination. Make it a list of beers (and places) you have not experienced yet or make it a hybrid list like I did. It’s all good! Cheers!
